Suddenly from within the hut there is a flurry of activity. A man's head appears out of the doorway and then disappears back into the darkness. From inside you can hear the ring of weapons being drawn from a metal wall rack. You count six. With a shout a number of heavily armed men run from the building towards you. The leading soldier, Teleth, looks meaningfully at the guard standing in front of you and draws his finger across his neck.Without hesitation the guard unsheathes his own sword and raises his arms in an attempt to spook your mount. It is a movement that causes Pallenten to falter backwards, but only for a moment. As the soldier advances the great horse rears upon her hind legs and strikes out with her hooves. Caught by surprise one hoof hits the Kalborean cleanly in the chest and he crumples onto the roadway.At the sight of seeing their comrade fall the other soldiers charge, a grim determination written across their faces to avenge his demise. For a moment you size up the chances of coming out of this fight alive and the odds are not good. Each of the men alone hold no challenge for you, but it is said that even a pack of mangy dogs can bring down the largest of predators. Considering retreat a more viable alternative than standing to fight, you wheel Pallenten about and gallop away from the checkpoint. The road is jammed with traffic so you turn Pallenten to the west and strike out across the fields and hills.

If you wish to head north-west towards Melem's Fork turn to section 254. If you would rather turn Pallenten to the south-west and make directly for the Devkraager Tor turn to section 261.

This book, and its associated books and other documents in the Chronicles of Arborell series are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Windhammer is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au